The Rugby World Cup semi final between the All Blacks and the Wallabies promises to be a beauty with one of the top two teams in the world set to be eliminated from the Rugby World Cup 2011. The All Blacks have never beaten the Wallabies at a Rugby World Cup, while they haven't won the World Cup since 1987 and are the only unbeaten team at the 2011 tournament which they are hosting. Australia have a habit of performing well during Rugby World Cups and although they haven't won at Eden Park since 1986, and were easily beaten last time the two teams met on this ground, they defeated New Zealand the last time they played and did win the Tri Nations.
The All Blacks are favourites for this match, but there are so many other factors that could affect the result.
Injuries - in a tournament of this magnitude most players will be carrying some kind of injuries. The All Blacks are already without Dan Carter which has been a huge loss. They have lost centurion Mils Muliaina and their backup fly half Colin Slade to injury, while important starters in this semi final like Richie McCaw, Israel Dagg and Richard Kahui are also returning from injury. The influence of Kurtley Beale on this semi final can't be underestimated either. If he is fit to play, he play an important part as an Australian attacking weapon. His loss would force a reshuffle. The Wallabies have also had several players injured during the tournament, but players like David Pocock, Digby Ioane, Pat McCabe, Sekope Kepu and Stephen Moore are back for this match.
The refereeing will play an important part in this match. It will be interesting to see how referee Craig Joubert rules at the breakdown. The Springboks felt hard done by last week against the Wallabies where the Wallabies loose forwards like David Pocock and Rocky Elsom seemed to benefit from a liberal lack of officiating at the breakdown. The rules of rugby are open to interpretation and plenty of the rulings are based on the referee's discretion.
The home advantage will surely suit the All Blacks, but the wet weather forecast will probably suit the more powerful All Blacks side while slowing down David Pocock's speed to the breakdown. It will be interesting to see if the home fans and lack of a Rugby World Cup victory since 1987 help the All Blacks or puts too much pressure on the All Blacks.
Players to watch
Some questions
Piri Weepu has become one of the most important All Blacks on the field with his reliable goal kicking and experienced cool head. Can he keep his cool on Sunday?
Can the unproven at test level Aaron Cruden fill the massive boots of Dan Carter?
Can Richie McCaw and his loose forward cohorts match David Pocock and the Wallaby loose forwards at the breakdown?
Will Kurtley Beale play? If he does play, will he be anywhere near his best?
Will both Genia and Cooper be at their best? Cooper has been struggling, while Genia has been quieter than usual.
Can Stephen Moore and his tight five mates for Australia actually gain parity upfront and therefore give them a great job at winning?
Which backline will be more dangerous? There are some amazing game-breakers in this match, which team will dominate and what influence will Sonny Bill Williams have off the bench?
New Zealand are favourites, but as an All Blacks fan, I am still not comfortable knowing that the referee could influence this match and that the Wallabies do have the fire-power to be dangerous.
I am picking a narrow win for the All Blacks on a wet night. All Blacks by 7 points.
New Zealand
Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Richard Kahui, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald, Sonny Bill Williams.
Australia: Kurtley Beale/Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor, Ashley-Cooper/Anthony Faingaa, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Radike Samo, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, James Horwill (capt), Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Faingaa/Rob Horne.
Deans has given full back Kurtley Beale, who is recovering from a strain in his left hamstring, the maximum time to recover. If Beale is unable to play, Adam Ashley-Cooper will move to full back, Anthony Faingaa into the starting XV as centre and Rob Horne will move to the replacements bench.
Who do you think will win and who are the players to watch?